Nonprofit Notes: Why does Ronald McDonald House raise funds locally?

With the name "Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada," we frequently field questions centered around what we do and why we raise funds locally. Many people know the name but little else. Also known as the Reno Ronald McDonald House or RMHC Northern Nevada, we provide a home-away-from-home for families living more than 30 miles outside of Reno and Sparks who have a child receiving treatment at an area hospital. This is a critical service for Northern Nevada, and even parts of northern California, given that many of the surrounding rural areas refer patients to Renown Children’s Hospital and Saint Mary’s. Each year our House provides lodging for an average of 170 families and, since we opened in 1987, we’ve helped more than 7,700 families stay together.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada also funds the RMHC U.S. Scholarship Program, the Ronald McDonald Family Room, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and the Travel-for-Treatment program.

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(Photo: Caleb Wilson for the RGJ)

But the No. 1 misconception around the Reno House centers around funding. As an RMHC founding mission partner since 1974, McDonald’s support includes financial, in-kind and volunteer contributions from owner/operators, suppliers, employees and customers. In addition, they lend us their promotional platform to champion our cause and provide space for the RMHC donation boxes which raise funds for Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. Locally, we are lucky that several owner/operators actively serve on our board of trustees and contribute personally to our organization as well as to other nonprofits in the area. Their hearts are as large as anyone’s, but funding our House without outside help isn’t feasible.

As a non-profit 501(c)(3), Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada needs the support of the community as a whole. In 2016 alone, we’re tasked with raising more than $850,000. It seems imperative to shine a light on just how important local contributions are to our mission. When individuals assume our costs are fully underwritten it can inadvertently cause them to withhold a donation.

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McDonald’s has been integral in the charity’s success since its inception in Philadelphia and continues to support Ronald McDonald House Charities worldwide. They extend their relationships with their affiliate companies to us, encouraging those companies to also give in the capacities they can. Local McDonald’s owner/operators provided seed money for us to build our house in 1987 and capital to launch our Ronald McDonald Family Room in 2012, in addition to the many tables at our annual gala and foursomes at our annual golf tournament they have purchased.

It is a true statement to say that, without our founding mission partners at McDonald’s, we would not be able to keep families close during their time of need. But it is also a true statement to point out that every penny, every dollar and every in-kind donation sent to Ronald McDonald House Charities® Northern Nevada counts in a very big way.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada (RMHC® Northern Nevada) creates and supports programs that directly improve the health, education and well-being of children and families. For more information, visit www.RMHC-Reno.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHCReno) or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHCNorthernNevada).